Boxscore
DUBUQUE – Wartburg College’s bid for a third consecutive Iowa Conference tournament title was dashed by a pair of second half goals by Loras Nov. 6.
Coach Kirk Artist’s program, appearing in its ninth straight league tourney finale, got out to a quick start. Sophomore forward Brandon Cook (Bondurant)scored his seventh goal of the season midway through the first half. The 1-0 lead was set up by a great assist feed by senior defender Corey Troast (Spring Hill, Kan.) Troast took a header attempt from a Loras corner and sailed it towards midfield, where Cook got past the Duhawk defender and was off to the races.
Loras picked up the tying and eventual game-winning goals in quick succession to begin the second half. Justin McCord accounted for both, heading in a cross in the 48th minute and then hit a well-placed corner kick just past the out-stretched arms of Knights’ senior goalkeeper Brandon Busbee (Hiawatha) in the 53rd minute.
Wartburg put together several opportunities down the stretch but couldn’t get the game-tying goal into Loras’ net. The hosts held a 22-8 shots advantage with Busbee keeping the Orange and Black close thanks to five saves.
Notes: The Knights fell to 11-8 with the loss. … Senior midfielder Lucas Prater (Springfield, Mo.), is the squad’s top offensive player with eight goals and 19 points. Cook’s seven goals and 16 points ranks second. Senior midfielder Eric Peters (Bartlett, Ill.), and senior forward Jon Farrell (Washington, Mo.), are also in double figures in points (13/12).
